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2008 Atlantic Championship.............

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:17 am
by mlittle
With an exciting 2007 Atlantic Championship season in the record books, series officials released the schedule for the 2008 season.......................

Rd. 1, Long Beach--20 April 2008
Rd. 2, Houston--27 April 2008
Rd. 3, Laguna Seca--18 May 2008
Rd. 4, Cleveland--22 June 2008
Rd. 5, Mt. Tremblant--29 June 2008
Rd. 6, Toronto--6 July 2008
Rd. 7, Edmonton--20 July 2008
Rds. 8/9, Portland--27 July 2008*
Rd. 10, Road America--10 August 2008
Rd. 11, Trois Riviers--17 August 2008**
Rd. 12, Miller Mtrspts Park--21 Sept. 2008***
Exhibition--Mexico City, 9 November 2008

*--doubleheader weekend
**--last on the Atlantic schedule in 2003
***--inaugural event

Open Test Dates set for 2008 Atlantic season.........

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:07 am
by mlittle
Atlantic Championship officials recently announced that there will be two open dates set for official testing................

(1)5-6 February 2008 at Sebring International Raceway(short course)
(2)10-11 March 2008 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

More info to follow.......

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:42 am
by mlittle
2008 ChampCar Atlantic Championship Silly Season Listing................

note.....list subject to change throughout off-season

~~Red Bull/FPR-Atlantic} David Garza, James Hinchcliffe
~~Pacific Coast Motorsports} Carl Skerlong, Frankie Muniz
~~Walker Racing} Kevin Lacroix, Greg Mansell, Leo Mansell
~~Brooks Associates Racing} Markus Niemela
~~EuroInternational} Eduardo Piscopo, Daniel Morad
~~Paladin Motorsports} Adrian Herberts
~~Condor Motorsports} Junior Strous, Dominick Muermans, Douglas Soares
~~Genoa Racing} Dane Cameron, Imran Husain
~~Newman-Wachs Racing} Simona de Silvestro, Jonathan Summerton
~~Mathiasen Motorsports} Alan Sciuto, Jonathan Bomarito
~~Brooks Associates Racing} Andreas Wirth

2007 US F2000 Champion completes Atlantic test..............

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:02 am
by mlittle
2007 Team USA scholarship winner and 2007 Pacific F2000 champion Patrick Barrett recently completed a 2-day test with ChampCar Atlantic competitors PR1 Motorsports. Under near-ideal conditions at Buttonwillow Raceway in California Barrett completed 170+ miles each day under the guidance of team officials and PR1 Motorsports driver Mike Forest......here are some quotes from those involved:

Bobby Oregel, Team Owner, PR1 Motorsports:
It was really nice to work with Patrick outside of our norm. The kid did a great job! He built all day and had some pretty respectable lap times, especially towards the end of each day. Mike also did a great job--and as these things tend to go when you've got two cars ontrack--he and Patrick really pushed each other each day. We're pretty pleased. I have to thank Cooper (Tires), Cosworth, Champ Car and everyone at Buttonwillow Raceway for making this test possible for Patrick.
Patrick Barrett, 2007 Pacific F2000 Champion:
I had a great time driving the Champ Car Atlantic car with PR1 Motorsports. I really enjoyed seeing and working with everyone on the team. The car was a blast to drive; we worked mostly on pushing myself and the limits of the car. There's a lot of grip available because of the downforce it produces. It was great having Mike Forest's help; he provided great data and motivation on and off the track. I think it was a successful day and I really learned a lot. I again want to thank Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Cosworth, Cooper Tire, Buttonwillow Raceway, MIke Forest and especially Bobby and Lise Oregel at PR1 Motorsports for this opportunity. I enjoyed every second of it!

Atlantic Championship welcomes new chief steward for 2008

Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:52 am
by mlittle
Atlantic Championship officials today welcomed a member of one of America's legendary open-wheel families back to the ChampCar fold, as they have hired Johnny Unser for the position of race director(a/k/a chief steward) for the Atlantic Championship beginning in 2008. Unser in the son of late USAC National Championship Series competitor Jerry Unser and is the nephew of 3-time Indy 500 winner Bobby Unser and 2-time CART series titleist "Big" Al Unser, Sr.; he is also the cousin of 2-time Indy 500 and CART series champion "Little" Al Unser, Jr. In addition to his duties as Atlantic steward, Unser will assist ChampCar VP-Operations Tony Cotman during ChampCar races as an assistant director of race control. Here are some those from today's announcement.......................

Vicki O'Conner, Atlantic Championship Managing Director:
We are delighted to welcome Johnny Unser as our Champ Car Atlantic Race Director and are thrilled to bring the Unser name back into our paddock once again. We have gotten to know Johnny closer over the past year through his association with Cooper Tires and feel strongly that he has exactly the right personality and temperment to be successful in this position. His knowledge of racing is impeccable and he will truly be an asset to our already outstanding group of race officials.
Johnny Unser, Atlantic Championship Race Director:
I have looked at the Champ Car Atlantic Championship from a distance for many years and have always appreciated how well it was run and the quality of drivers that the series has produced. It is truly an honor to be asked to represent the series as Race Director, and I am looking forward to working with the very committed and professional people associated with the Champ Car Atlantic Championship. Working with young, aggressive drivers is something I've always enjoyed, and I hope to be able to share with them some of the things I've learned over the years and help them succeed with the ups and downs of professional motor sports.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:59 pm
by mlittle
Tuesday combined test times(top-10) from Sebring.............................................


1st} James Hinchcliffe, FPR-Atlantic................................57.449 sec
2nd} Jonathan Bomarito, Sierra Sierra...........................57.542 sec
3rd} David Garza, FPR-Atlantic......................................57.860 sec
4th} J.R. Hildebrand, Genoa Racing................................57.981 sec
5th} Markus Niemala, Brooks Associates Racing..............57.997 sec
6th} Kevin Lacroix, Team Australia.................................58.004 sec
7th} Carl Skerlong, Pacific Coast Motorsports..................58.116 sec
8th} Daniel Morad, EuroInternational...............................58.121 sec
9th} Alan Sciuto, Mathiasen Motorsports..........................58.246 sec
10th} Dane Cameron, Sierra Sierra................................58.350 sec

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:21 pm
by mlittle
Day 2 test results from Sebring(top-10)..................................................


1st} James Hinchcliffe, FPR-Atlantic..................................57.366 sec
2nd} David Garza, FPR-Atlantic........................................57.413 sec
3rd} Jonathan Bomarito, Sierra Sierra..............................57.542 sec
4th} J.R. Hildebrand, Genoa Racing...................................57.712 sec
5th} Markus Niemala, Brooks Associates Racing.................57.762 sec
6th} Simona de Silvestro, Newman-Wachs Racing..............57.948 sec
7th} Jonathan Summerton, Newman-Wachs Racing.............57.971 sec
8th} Kevin Lacroix, Team Australia....................................58.004 sec
9th} Daniel Morad, EuroInternational.................................58.013 sec
10th} Sebastien Chardonnet, Conquest Racing...................58.062 sec

Making plans for 2008.....................

Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:21 am
by mlittle
North America's longest-running driver development series will continue for its' 35th season, announced series officials today from both coasts in announcements made in Homestead, Fla. and Los Angeles, Ca. Here are some of the quotes from each coast:

Kevin Kalkhoven, Atlantic Championship Series Co-Owner:
The Atlantic Championship's history and record of developing drivers is so impressive that Gerry (Forsythe) and I want to see it continue this season and for many years to come. Many great drivers have cut their teeth in Atlantics over the past 34 years before moving on to terrific careers in the highest levels of international motorsport, including Champ Cars, the IndyCar Series, Formula 1 and NASCAR.
Vicki O'Connor, Atlantic Championship Managing Director:
This is the beginning of another exciting chapter in the history of Atlantics and I am proud and honored to be a part of it. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of (series co-owners) Gerry Forsythe and Kevin Kalkhoven, along with the valued support of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and Mazda North America. There is an incredible amount of work to be done before we get to our season opener in Long Beach on April 20, but we will be ready.
Due to the unification between ChampCar and the IRL, an updated Atlantics schedule will be forthcoming soon.

Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:16 pm
by mlittle
Upated 2008 Atlantic Championship schedule...........................

Current events...................
20 April 2008--Long Beach
15 May 2008--Laguna Seca(w/Grand-Am)
20 July 2008--Edmonton(w/IRL)*
10 August 2008--Road America(w/ALMS)
17 August 2008--Trois Rivieres'(w/Koni Challenge)
21 Sept. 2008--Miller Mtrspts Park(w/Grand-Am)
*--pending approval from IRL officials

While losing ChampCar's venues for this year has hurt the Atlantic schedule for the time being, series officials have confirmed that there will be a 12-round schedule for 2008.........schedule will be updated as the remainder of the rounds are announced.

Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:55 pm
by mlittle
Laguna Seca Test Day 1
Combined Sessions top-10......................

1} Dane Cameron, Genoa Racing.................................1:16.465 sec
2} Carl Skerlong, Pacific Coast Mtrspts.........................1:16.492 sec
3} Junior Strous, Condor Mtrspts..................................1:16.580 sec
4} Daniel Morad, EuroInternational...............................1:16.958 sec
5} James Hinchcliffe, FCR-Atlantic.................................1:16.969 sec
6} Jonathan Summerton, Newman-Wachs Racing............1:16.983 sec
7} Kevin Lacroix, Walker Racing....................................1:17.142 sec
8} Greg Mansell, Walker Racing....................................1:17.232 sec
9} Eduardo Piscopo, EuroInternational...........................1:17.244 sec
10} David Garza, FCR-Atlantic......................................1:17.411 sec

Atlantic Test--MSR Day 1

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:18 pm
by mlittle
With all the attention focused on the IndyCar Series, it is hard to remember that NA motorsports' premiere driver-development series, the Atlantic Championship, began its' third and final 2008 preseason test at the MotorSport Ranch raceing facility near Houston, Tx.

Top-10 from today's test................................................
1} Jonathan Bomarito, Mathiasen Mtrspts.............................1:19.431 sec
2} Kevin LaCroix, Walker Racing.........................................1:19.793 sec
3} James Hinchcliffe, FCR-Atlantic.......................................1:19.833 sec
4} Carl Skerlong, Pacific Coast Mtrspts................................1:19.922 sec
5} David Garza, FCR-Atlantic..............................................1:20.012 sec
6} Greg Mansell, Walker Racing..........................................1:20.226 sec
7} Junior Strous, Condor Mtrspts........................................1:20.255 sec
8} Simona de Silvestro, Newman-Wachs Racing...................1:20.480 sec
9} Dane Cameron, Genoa Racing........................................1:20.542 sec
10} Dominic Muermans, Condor Mtrspts...............................1:21.017 sec

Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:39 pm
by mlittle
mlittle wrote:Upated 2008 Atlantic Championship schedule...........................

Current events...................
20 April 2008--Long Beach
15 May 2008--Laguna Seca(w/Grand-Am)
20 July 2008--Edmonton(w/IRL)*
10 August 2008--Road America(w/ALMS)
17 August 2008--Trois Rivieres'(w/Koni Challenge)
21 Sept. 2008--Miller Mtrspts Park(w/Grand-Am)
*--pending approval from IRL officials

While losing ChampCar's venues for this year has hurt the Atlantic schedule for the time being, series officials have confirmed that there will be a 12-round schedule for 2008.........schedule will be updated as the remainder of the rounds are announced.

Updated 2008 Atlantic Championship Schedule........................................
(as of 26 March 2008)

****CONFIRMED EVENTS****
20 April 2008--Long Beach(w/IndyCar Series*)
15 May 2008--Laguna Seca(w/Grand-Am)
9 & 10 Aug. 2008--Road America(w/American LeMans Series)
21 Sept. 2008--Miller Mtrspts. Park(w/Grand-Am)
*--will be run under the ChampCar banner
****LIKELY BUT NOT CONFIRMED****
29 June 2008--Mt. Tremblant(^)
20 July 2008--Edmonton(w/IndyCar Series**)
17 August 2008--Trois Rivieres(w/KONI Challenge)
^--uncertain at this moment
**--only if the IRL picks up this event within the IndyCar Series schedule; the discussed date is 26 July 2008

Confirmed Events--5
Expected Events--3
Open Dates Left--4


Venues dropped from 2008.........
--Toronto
--both Portland races
--Mexico City(exhibition race)

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 5:33 am
by mlittle
2008 Atlantic Championship Schedule..............................

Rd. 1--Long Beach, Ca, 20 April 2008(w/ChampCar-IRL)
Rd. 2--Laguna Seca, Ca., 18 May 2008(w/Grand-Am)
Rd. 3--Mt. Tremblant, 29 June 2008(w/Sommets des Legends)
Rd. 4--Edmonton, 25 July 2008(w/IndyCar Series)
Rd. 5--Edmonton, 26 July 2008(w/IndyCar Series)
Rd. 6--Road America, 9 August 2008(w/American LeMans Series)
Rd. 7--Road America, 10 August 2008(w/American LeMans Series)
Rd. 8--Trois Rivieres, 17 August 2008(w/KONI Challenge)
Rd. 9--NJ Mtrspts. Park, 14 Sept. 2008(w/MAZDASPEED Mtrspts. Ladder)
Rd. 10--Miller Mtrspts. Park, 21 Sept. 2008(w/Grand-Am)
Rd. 11--Road America, 4 October 2008(w/American LeMans Series)

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 12:52 pm
by mlittle
Long Beach Combined Practice Top-10..........................
1} James Hinchcliffe, FCR-Atlantic..............................1:16.766 sec
2} Jonathan Bomarito, Mathiasen Mtrspts....................1:16.979 sec
3} Kevin Lacroix, Walker Racing................................1:17.137 sec
4} Dane Cameron, Genoa Racing..............................1:17.163 sec
5} Markus Niemala, Brooks Assoc. Racing...................1:17.259 sec
6} Alan Sciuto, Genoa Racing.....................................1:17.357 sec
7} Junior Strous, Condor Mtrspts................................1:17.439 sec
8} Carl Skerlong, Pacific Coast Mtrspts.......................1:17.567 sec
9} David Garza, FCR-Atlantic.....................................1:17.671 sec
10} Jonathan Summerton, NW Racing.........................1:17.785 sec

Bomarito on provisional point at the Beach...............

Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:00 pm
by mlittle
When the dust settled from a frentic provisional qualifying session at Long Beach, it was an Atlantic veteran who held the provisional pole for Sunday's first round of the 2008 Atlantic Championship..................

1} Jonathan Bomarito, Mathiasen Mtrspts.....................1:16.830 sec*
2} Markus Niemala, Brooks Assoc. Racing....................1:17.114 sec
3} Jonathan Summerton, NW Racing............................1:17.189 sec
4} James Hinchcliffe, FCR-Atlantic................................1:17.266 sec
5} Carl Skerlong, Pacific Coast Mtrspts.........................1:17.355 sec
*--will start on the front-row regardless of how Saturday qualifying goes